William Tyrrell inquiry: Neighbour gives muddled evidence on unknown cars

A key witness at the Tyrrell inquest tells of unknown cars parked on the street | NEW EPISODE

Witness Paul Savage arrives to give evidence at Taree Local Court in Taree, NSW. Picture: AAP

A neighbour who took part in the search for missing boy William Tyrrell told the inquest he saw two unknown cars on the street the day before the foster family arrived in Kendall.

Paul Savage, who turned 75 on Tuesday, told council assisting the coroner, Gerard Craddock he noticed two cars parked on the road on Wednesday September 10, 2014. William Tyrrell disappeared on the morning of Friday September 12, 2014.

“They were older vehicles, sixties or seventies, maybe in that area. I tried to memorise the licence plates but I couldn’t remember. A white one and a bluey grey one.”

Mr Savage’s first recorded written statement recorded on September 25, 2014 made no mention of the two cars.

Mr Craddock referred back to a March 16, 2016 statement where Mr Savage first referred to the unknown cars, “The first car was, was white, it looked like a camry, with a fast back, a hatch back...The white car looked like a 1990s model. You say blue car, common four door, sedan… You’re absolutely sure you saw them?

Mr Savage: “Yes.”

Mr Craddock asked him: “Did you tell anybody?”

“Only Heather, my wife,” Mr Savage replied.

“When the boy disappeared did you think you should tell somebody?

“I did tell somebody, it might’ve been the police, I can’t remember. I don’t know,” Mr Savage said.

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A description of two cars as seen by the foster mother was made public on 5 September

2015, by former head of Strike Force Rosann, Gary Jubelin. A composite of the two cars; one white and the second blue or grey and where they were allegedly parked on Benaroon drive, was reconstructed from information provided in an interview with the foster parents aired on 60 minutes.

Diane Elston representing the father followed up on the purporting sighting of the cars asking if it’s possible Mr Savage told the foster mother?

Mr Savage: “No I can’t recall”

Ms Elston: “You mentioned you told Heather about the cars you saw, is it possible she told someone?”

Mr Savage: “No no, unless she told them at bingo, that’s the only time she could’ve done.”

Ms Elston asked if he could’ve told someone about the cars but has no recollection. And if it could’ve been anyone?”

“Could’ve been,” Mr Savage conceded.

Prior to the court closing to the public, Chris McGory, representing Mr Savage concluded the morning hearing by asking Mr Savage about his age, family, and health.

“Just turned 75, married to Heather about 50 years, three children, eleven grandchildren. Your wife passed away April 2015, from cancer. Fair to say her loss has been hard for you?”

Mr Savage: “Yes, very hard.”

The court heard Mr Savages brother, who had been convalescing in a Casino hospital when William disappeared, passed away in May 2019. He agreed that the past five years have “knocked [him] around a fair bit.”

Mr McGory: “Do you think some of the discussions you’ve had over time some of the memories have blended in...Memory better in written statement than walkthrough.”

Mr Savage: “A lot better than it is today, yes.”

The Taree hearings conclude today, with the inquest continuing in Lidcombe next week.